Electric fan assembly



A TTORNE Y Feb. 19, 1946.

Filed Oct. 18, 1944 FIG. I.

F J/W I Patented Feb. 19, 1946 ELECTRIC 'FAN ASSEIVIBIJY Francesco Collura, New York, N. Y., assignor .to The Torrington Manufacturing 00., Torrington, Conn.., a corporation of Connecticut Application October 18, 1944, Serial No. 559,322

4 Claims. (01. 230- -273) This invention relates to improvements in electric fan assemblies, and more particularly to an improved structure iormounting afan and motor unit on a base of the assembly. The improvements are particularly, although b no means exclusively, applicable to so-ca'lled desk type fans,

' and other similar free air types,

A major object of the invention is attained in an improved supporting connection between a base .of the assembly and the motor and fan unit thereof, so arranged as to dampen out, or at least to minimize transmission of vibrations from the motor to the base, thence to any subjacent support such as a desk, table or floor.

A further object of the invention is attained in improved provisions for adjustment of the fan and motor unit of the desk fan assembly, in both horizontal and vertical planes.

Yet another object of the invention, akin to those aforesaid, is attained in an improved pedestal construction constituting an adjustable supporting connection between the base and, motor.

Still another important object is attained in a construction of base, pedestal and motor-fan unit, which results in greater cleanliness of outline and concealment of certain adjustable clamping means.

Yet another object is attained in an improved motor supporting yoke in a'desk fan assembly or the like, -1;he yoke being pivoted for adjustment in a vertical plane, and about an axis close to the lowermost portion of the assembly,

The foregoing and numerous other objects will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a presently preferred example of the invention, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a top or plan View of a desk fan assembly embodying the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the assembly. in which certain parts are broken away, and certain parts shown in section, for clearness, and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the assembly, in which a fragmentary portion of a fan guard ring is broken away, and shown in section.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, a fan assembly exemplifying the improvements, includes a hollow base element Ill, which is recessed from its under surface to provide a hollow or cavity therein, for a purpose hereinafterappearlng. The base In is substan tlally rectangular in outline in the example shown, and may be formed of a molded thermoplastic or similar material, but for stability of support in larger sizes of fans, it is desirably of somewhat greater weight, and may to this end be formed say as a metal casting.

Of the motor and fan unit, the motor is generally indicated at H and is shown as being of substantiahy fully enclosed type. To the forward end It of the motor frame or housing, is secured a plurality of guard-supporting elements l3, preferabl at least four of these being provided, and each is anchored at its inner end to the motor frame, as by screws l4, It will be noted as a preference to locate the guard-supporting rods it entirely rearwardly of the propeller or fan l5. In the example shown, the propeller type fan is of four-blade type, each of the blades being indicated generally at I 6.

Relatively closely surrounding the periphery of the fan 15 is a guard ring 20, to the rear face of which is secured as by screws 2!, the guard supporting rods l3. The guard ring 20 ma desirably be formed as a molded ring of a thermoplastic material but if desired may be formed of any other suitable material.

The motor shaft, as is conventional, projects forwardl of the frame or enclosure of motor I I, being indicated at 22, and to which the fan It is secured for rotation thereby, as by a set screw or equivalent connection (not shown).

The primary support of the assembly is, now obviously, found in the base II], which in a desk tvpe fan, will rest directly or through a conven tional supporting pad (not shown), on a desk or table surface. As an intermediate support, sometimes referred to as a pedestal, the present improvements distinguish considerably and with great advantage from the prior practice and con.- ventional structure. This feature is found in the provision, between the base II] and motor H, of a spring yoke generally indicated at 23, and shown .as comprised of a pair of substantially vertical, generally parallel arms 24 and 25, These merge into and are connected by abridge piece 26 somewhat widely curved at each of its ends, and provided with a central aperture 21 for the reception of a stud or bolt element 28 (not shown in detail) and projecting downwardly from the motor frame ll. In the case of a non-oscillating the element 28 may be threaded for the reception of a thumb screw 30, through which the motor and ,fan unit may be adjusted in a plane normal to the structure 3213.

It is a great preference to form the pedestal or yoke member 23 as a single piece .of flat spring steel stock, the gauge and temper of which are such that the resilience of this element will absorb, hence materially dampen out vibration originating in the fan, motor or both, and prevent its transmission to the base 10, hence to the desk or table therebeneath. Experience and experiments have indicated a marked advantage in thus minimizing vibration effects, as reflected in more silent operation of the assembly, even when employed with fans of so-called silent, wideblade types.

As a result of protracted experiments it has been found desirable to construct the pedestal yoke 23 with its elements so proportioned that the length of each of the legs 24 and 25 is substantially the same as the width of the yoke, or otherwise expressed, the horizontal length of bridge 25. d of well balanced appearance and characterized by stability of support, as well as providing a sufficient length of legs 24 and 25 to carry out eifectively their function as vibration suppressors, in coaction with the bridge of the yoke. It is a preference also to utilize a fiat strip stock in the construction of the yoke, which in desk fans in the more prevalent sizes of 8" to 16" fan diameter, will preferably be of a width of the order of one to one and one-half inch.

As before noted, in the case of a non-oscillating fan, the motor-fan unit, comprised of major parts i i and I5, is supported for adjustment in a general plane parallel to the bridge piece 26, this being, when legs 24 and 25 are vertical, an adjustment in a horizontal plane. Provision for this angular adjustment of the fan and motor is found in the depending stud bolt 28 secured to motor frame I I, and projecting through opening 2'! in bridge 26, and on which is threaded the Wing nut 39. It is preferred to provide between the wing nut and the under surface of bridge 28, a disc of friction material, such as a fiber washer 3|.

Proceeding now to describe the provision for rocking adjustment of the yoke 26, hence of the fan and motor unit thereon, a convenient and practical provision for this purpose includes an aperture through the lower extremity of each of the legs 2 and 25, as indicated at 35. Similarly, and in register with openings 35, the opposite side walls 36 and 31 of the base are each provided with an opening 38. Through each of the adjacent pairs of openings 35 and 38 projects a large screw element preferably of flat head type as indicated at 40, .the heads of which may be lzerfed or knurled, preferably the latter. It will be noted, as a preference, that the base I is provided on its opposite vertical margins, with integral protrusions or bosses 43, which are or may be circular, and of a diameter approximating the width of the arms 24 and 25, and about the diameter of the large heads of screws 40. Thus the screw heads and bosses provide a substantial area of frictional engagement with the ends of the yoke arms.

To augment the frictional engagement between the yoke arms and base, there is utilized on each bolt 40, interiorly of the base, a heavy compression spring 42, over which is a nut 4i, threadedly engaging the bolt or screw 40. Knurled metal or fiber washers (not shown) may be utilized on the screws 40 as desired, to enhance the frictional retention of the yoke in any adjusted position.

As a result of trials with various arrangements for adjustment of the motor and fan unit in a vertical plane, it has been found particularly This arrangement makes for a fan' advantageous and useful for office or living room usage, to locate the axis about which such adjustment is made, in a zone within the base of the assembly. In the present example, since the base 10 is extremely and unusually shallow, this axis identified with elements 40 and II, is very little above the lowest portion of the assembly, thus providing a wide arc of adjustment in a vertical' plane.

Although the manner of effecting the various adjustments described, is regarded as obvious from the foregoing description of parts, it may be noted as necessary in the case of horizontal change in position of a non-oscillating fan with respect to the base, merely to release the nut 30, then to swing the motor to the desired position on the yoke, then retighten this nut. Similarly, in the event of desired change in angularity of fan-motor unit by adjustment thereof in a vertical plane, the whole assembly is merely manually tilted sufficiently to set the yoke 23 at the desired angle to the base, the springs 42 and coacting parts serving frictionally to retain the yoke in adjusted position. This arrangement has been found particularly desirable in situations wherein it is desired to support the fan on the floor, and to provide a distinctly upward direction of fan stream.

Inasmuch as certain of the operative accessories and elements of the assembly form no part of the present improvements, and may be of conventional type, they have not been illustrated or described. For example, a fan switch or speed control may be disposed within the hollow base 10 with conductors therefrom and thereinto, in any desired location.

Although the invention has been described by making a somewhat specific reference to a single preferred embodiment, the detail of description should be understood as instructive rather than limiting, inasmuch as, numerous variants are possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fan assembly, a base, a motor, a propeller carried and driven by the motor, a pedestal through which the motor and fan assembly is supported by the base, the pedestal including spaced, substantially vertical legs of resilient material, and a bridge connecting upper portions of the legs, the motor and propeller assembly being secured to the bridge, and the legs attached at their lower portions to the base.

2. In an electric fan assembly, a fan and motor structure, a base constituting the primary support therefor, an intermediate support connecting said structure and the base, and comprised of substantially upright resilient legs, each connected near its lower end to the base, a bridge across the upper portions of the legs, and to which the motor and fan assembly is secured, and a pivot connection between each of said legs and the base, adapted to enable a swinging adjustment of the intermediate support about a horizontal axis through the base.

3. In an electric fan assembly, a fan and motor structure, a base constituting the primary support therefor, an intermediate support connecting said structure and the base, and comprised of substantially upright resilient legs, each connected near its lower end to the base, a bridge integral with, and extended in a normally horiof said legs and the base, adapted to enable a swinging adjustment of the intermediate support about a horizontal axis through the base, and means coasting with the pivot connection, the legs and the base, for retention of the intermedi ate support in each adjusted position relative to the base.

4. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited by claim 3, further characterized in that the base is of hollow construction, and that the retention means for the intermediate support includes a retention spring disposed within the hollow base.

FRANCESCO COLLURA. 

